TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Thursday, 9th April 2026
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Inbound arrivals to increase across APAC: PATA

By TTG Asia
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The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released its latest quarterly international visitor arrivals (IVAs) forecast current to May 6, 2022, based on the data provided by 39 Asia-Pacific destinations.

In line with the start of the region’s travel recovery, aggregate numbers into the 39 Asia-Pacific destinations are projected to have step-wise annual increases beginning in 2022 and continuing to 2024 across all three of the mild, medium, and severe scenarios.

Recovery for international visitor arrivals across Asia-Pacific is predicted to reach between 25-48% of 2019’s

IVA recovery rates (above 2019 baseline level) for visitors into and across Asia-Pacific is predicted to reach between 25-48% of the volume last received in 2019, with the numbers reflecting the range of potential outcomes from a severe to a mild scenario. This is a solid improvement over the 16-18% range of 2021 – the trough year for most Asia-Pacific destinations – and heralds the beginning of a continued growth trend to 2024.

The number of foreign arrivals into and across Asia-Pacific is still projected to either reach parity with the 2019 position (medium scenario) or be well above it (mild scenario) by 2024.

A possibility exists for conditions to deteriorate once again – with multiple influencing factors including the ongoing pandemic continually evolving, the Ukraine-Russia crisis, escalating jet fuel prices, and limited air capacity and routes, plus industry-wide staff shortages.

While annual growth is predicted to occur for each of the 39 destinations covered between 2022 and 2024, there will be some variations illustrated by the differences in relative positions for each of the three destination regions of Asia-Pacific, as well as under each of the three scenarios within each of those regions.

At the individual destination level, recovery rates vary broadly in 2022 and are predicted to range from less than 15% to almost 99%, while in 2024, they range from 86% to 120% under that same scenario. Projections are now for Asia-Pacific to reach an IVA count in 2024 of 510-832 million, depending on which scenario plays out over that period.

Similar variations are apparent across the source market regions relevant to Asia-Pacific, although in general, the trend is back towards the same inbound structure of 2024 under the medium scenario.

PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera observed that while a positive turning point is predicted to occur in 2022 for all the 39 Asia-Pacific destinations covered in these updated forecasts, many market variables are currently influencing travel and significant challenges still lay ahead.

Even with the momentum for international travel demand increasing, she pointed out, multiple challenges need to be navigated by the global travel and tourism sector, such as emerging new strains of Covid, escalating jet fuel prices, rising inflation, and geo-political conflicts.

Safety, wellness and smooth travel experiences are top of mind as needs for post-pandemic travellers, therefore it is vital to provide clarity in processes and deliver good customer support in the face of ever-changing circumstances.

Genting Dream sets sail!

By TTG Asia
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New cruise line, Resorts World Cruises, marked its global premiere with Genting Dream setting sail on its maiden voyage from Singapore on June 15, 2022.

The milestone event saw the participation of travel trade and media partners, cruise customers, and top leadership at Resorts World Cruises.

Leadership at Resorts World Cruises joined Genting Dream on its maiden journey; (fourth from left) Michael Goh, Colin Au, and Raymond Lim

Genting Dream is the first ship of a planned fleet, and will homeport in Singapore.

Ascott unveils new Kimaya brand in Indonesia

By Mimi Hudoyo
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The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has opened three new properties in Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta under the Kimaya brand.

The three hotels are the 340-key Kimaya Slipi Jakarta by Harris, formerly Ibis Slipi; the 193-room Kimaya Braga Bandung by Harris, formerly Ibis Styles Braga Bandung; and Kimaya Sudirman Yogyakarta by Harris, which used to be Novotel Sudirman Yogyakarta.

Ascott has opened three new properties under the Kimaya brand in Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta

As a brand under Wahana Graha Hijau, part of Indonesia’s household and F&B company Wings Group, Kimaya Group operates in the midscale hotel sector in affiliation with the Harris brand.

Patrick Vaysse, chief operating officer for hotels, Ascott Indonesia, said at the media event held in Jakarta on June 11: “Indonesia is Ascott’s largest market in South-east Asia. We are very pleased to welcome Kimaya Hotel to be part of Ascott. This new opening is the latest milestone in our expansion plans for Ascott in Indonesia. Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta are key areas of development for the group in Indonesia.”

Irene Janti, director, brand and marketing, Ascott, added: “The Kimaya brand was created to accommodate the owner’s desire to have their own brand, but managed by us. The hotels will target the same market segment as Harris, but they will carry its own brand identity.”

When asked about Wings Group’s interest in hotel investment, Hadi Setiadarma, director of Kimaya Group, told TTG Asia: “We are in the F&B business and the hotel business is (closely) related. We already own an (upper upscale) property in Bali, The Apurva Kempinski, so the Kimaya brand will be our midscale brand.”

On the choice of buying existing properties rather than building new hotels – in 2021 Kimaya Group acquired five properties – Hadi said the pandemic provided opportunities for the group to do so.

He explained that some hotel owners have decided to move onto other businesses and put these properties up for sale. Located in prime locations, these hotels would have been impossible to purchase under normal circumstances.

However, as the group does own some land, Hadi did not rule out the possibility of developing new hotels in the future.

Cebu Pacific ramps up flights to Manila and Cebu from Singapore

By TTG Asia
0

Cebu Pacific (CEB) will double its daily frequency between Singapore and Manila, as well as restart flights from Singapore to Cebu on July 16, with three services a week.

The additional morning service to Manila will depart Changi Airport at 10.15 and arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 14.00; while the Singapore-bound flight will depart from Manila at 5.35 and arrive at 9.20.

Cebu Pacific resumes flights between Singapore and Cebu, and increases services between Singapore and Manila

Flights between Singapore and Cebu will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing from Changi Airport at 4.00 and arriving at Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 at 8.05. Flights from Cebu to Singapore will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, departing at 23.05 and arriving at 3.00 the following day.

New Zealand to drop Covid test entry requirement next week

By TTG Asia
0
Travellers at the baggage claim at Christchurch International Airport

New Zealand has announced that it will no longer require inbound travellers to conduct a Covid-19 pre-departure test effective June 20, 23.59.

The move brings forward the initial date planned for the change by six weeks, or July 31.

Travellers at the baggage claim at Christchurch International Airport

“We’ve taken a careful and staged approach to reopening our borders to ensure we aren’t overwhelmed with an influx of Covid-19 cases. Our strategy has worked and as a result it’s safe to lift pre-departure test requirements much sooner than planned,” said Covid-19 response minister Ayesha Verrall in a press statement.

“Around 90 per cent of international arrivals undertake their required testing once they are in the country, with only a two to three per cent positivity rate. So we don’t anticipate a significant increase in border cases once the requirement is lifted.”

“Factors such as the availability of and cost of getting a test are increasingly becoming a barrier for people intending to travel here, especially as other countries wind back testing availability or the requirement for a test on entry themselves,” she added.

However, New Zealand will still have a set of border surveillance measures for detecting any possible new variants of Covid-19, including requiring travellers to self-test on Day 0/1 and again on Day 5/6. A positive result would then require a PCR test.

Separately, travellers transiting through New Zealand will no longer need to be vaccinated, nor be required to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

New resident manager at Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City

By TTG Asia
0

Albert Lafuente is the new resident manager of Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City.

Lafuente has extensive experience in sales and marketing and joins Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh from Swissotel Clark where he was the director of sales and marketing.

Glenn Mandziuk helms Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

By TTG Asia
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The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has named Glenn Mandziuk as CEO, replacing Madhu Rajesh who left the organisation in September 2021.

Mandziuk has amassed over 25 years of leadership experience in advancing sustainable practices in tourism, hospitality and economic development.

Prior to his new position at Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, he was president and CEO of Canada’s Thompson Okanagan Tourism Region.

So great to see you!

By TTG Asia
0
From left, Mastercard’s Lim Kok Kee, PATA’s Paul Pruangkarn (standing), Ben Montgomery and Liz Ortiguera, PATA life member and Asian Trails' Luzi Matzig, TTG Asia’s Raini Hamdi and PATA’s Peter Simone

That joyful cry was heard everywhere at an evening hosted by PATA Thailand Chapter and Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre recently that saw members and partners meeting in person again in support of Thailand’s tourism opening.

From left, Mastercard’s Lim Kok Kee, PATA’s Paul Pruangkarn (standing), Ben Montgomery and Liz Ortiguera, PATA life member and Asian Trails’ Luzi Matzig, TTG Asia’s Raini Hamdi and PATA’s Peter Simone

Philippines positions New Clark City for sports tourism, Clark Freeport Zone as MICE destination

By TTG Asia
0
Philippines is transforming the Clark Freeport Zone into a preferred business and tourism destination

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is banking on the development of the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) and the New Clark City in order to further boost the recovery of the country’s tourism industry.

The DoT, in collaboration with the Tourism Promotions Board, and the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development, showcased how CFZ and the New Clark City could be positioned as premier tourism hubs during the first Central Luzon Tourism Investment Summit and Business Exchange (CLTISBEX) Hybrid Edition held recently at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort.

Philippines is transforming the Clark Freeport Zone into a preferred business and tourism destination

They proposed CFZ as a modern sustainable aerotropolis and a preferred business events destination, while the New Clark City could stand for an ideal destination for sports tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

DoT 3 regional director, Caroline Uy, said: “Through the help of the private sector, the goal is to transform the CFZ into a preferred business and tourism destination in the Asia-Pacific region and enable investors to find long-term economic returns.”

CFZ is located in Pampanga, and can be easily accessed by the country’s major foreign tourist markets like China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan.

A total of 35 foreign and local investors from the Philippines, China, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, and the UAE participated in the summit.

The event concluded with a total of 127 million pesos (US$2.4 million) investment leads which were mostly generated during the B2B meetings among 77 buyers and sellers.

As of December 31, 2021, CFZ is already home to some 1,153 companies that are also referred to as locators. These business ventures provided opportunities to a total of 121,341 professionals and workers inside the freeport zone which originally employed only 20,000 workers at the time of its opening.

For corporate groups, CFZ offers 80 convention halls, 3,648 hotel rooms, 126 dining facilities, and 45 tourism attractions such as Clark Safari, Clark Bike Path, Clark Museum and Theater, Aqua Planet, Clark International Speedway, and Dinosaurs Island.

In terms of exports, CFZ has since generated a total export of US$5.4 billion with a total investment of 265 billion pesos.

This announcement follows the recent opening of Clark International Airport’s new passenger terminal, which Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said will generate more gains to the industry, especially now that the DoT is also positioning CFZ as a business events destination.

Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights marks 10th edition

By TTG Asia
0

Universal Studios Singapore’s (USS) Halloween Horror Nights returns for its 10th edition and fans can expect never-before-seen haunted houses, scare zones, laser tag, a dining experience and behind-the-scenes tour.

To mark its 10th edition, the iconic event will, for the first time ever, run across selected 19 nights from September 30 to November 5, 2022.

Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights returns for its 10th edition

USS’ daytime family-friendly Halloween event will also make its highly-anticipated return from September 7 to November 6, featuring a park-wide procession with all-new original characters and meet-and-greet opportunities.

For more information, visit Halloween Horror Nights.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | WTTC report outlines steps for Hong Kong to rebuild international tourism
TTG Asia | Sarawak to host South-east Asian tourist guides conference in Sibu
TTG Asia | Higher fuel costs to dampen India travel demand